Therapy Animal Selection Flashcards
7 cards from real AAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Therapy Animal Selection flashcards as text
Which temperament trait is most critical when evaluating a dog for animal-assisted therapy work?
Answer: Tolerance of unpredictable handling by strangers
Therapy animals must tolerate unpredictable touch, sudden movements, and noise from diverse client populations without reacting negatively.
A rabbit is being considered for AAT in a pediatric oncology ward. What is the PRIMARY concern specific to rabbits in this setting?
Answer: Rabbits are fragile and may be injured by overzealous handling
Rabbits have delicate skeletal structures and can be injured or become defensively aggressive if handled roughly, making supervision critical.
Which of the following BEST describes a therapy animal's required response to sudden loud noises?
Answer: The animal should remain calm or recover quickly without displaying sustained fear
Sound sensitivity that causes prolonged distress disqualifies an animal because clinical environments involve unpredictable noises.
During a therapy animal evaluation, the assessor drops a metal food bowl loudly near the dog. What passing response looks like?
Answer: Dog startles, then investigates calmly within seconds
A brief startle followed by calm recovery and curiosity indicates sound resilience appropriate for therapy environments.
Which certification body is most widely recognized for evaluating therapy dogs in the United States?
Answer: Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society)
Pet Partners is the leading national nonprofit that certifies therapy animal teams across multiple species using standardized evaluations.
A therapy cat freezes, dilates pupils, and tucks its tail during a session. The handler should:
Answer: End the session and remove the cat from the environment
These signs indicate acute stress; continuing the session risks the animal's welfare and may compromise client safety.
What is the recommended minimum age for most dogs before beginning formal therapy animal work?
Answer: 2 years
Most certification programs require dogs to be at least 1–2 years old, with many recommending 2 years to ensure behavioral maturity.